This is the third cruise for my wife and I. First NCL Dawn 7/06, Second RCL Explorer of the Seas 5/07 and now this one. We're mid 50's and traveled alone. We live in South Jersey so we were able to drive to the port. It worked out fine with one exception. There was a bicycle marathon going down 12th Ave where the port is and the old saying that "you can't get there from here" was appropriate. What should have been a 15 minute ride from the Lincoln Tunnel turned into a 1 hour tour of the west-side of Manhattan. So my 1st advise is make sure to leave yourself plenty of time which we did. Got to the port, dropped off my wife and our bags and parked on the level above the pier. Worked out fine. You pull up to your pier (in this case 90) and drop the bags with the longshoreman. They are great and do not forget to tip. Drove a along the pier up the ramp and onto the parking deck. Paid the week in advance ($144) for 6 nights. We got a space three down from the elevator. Met up with wife and went to Latitudes lounge which is really just a sitting area. After about 30 minutes an NCL rep came and got us and we checked in, no problems there as we filled out the paperwork earlier. Sat there for another 15 minutes and were the second people onto the ship at about 10:30. Rooms weren't ready so we went to Windows for a leisurely lunch. First impression was the Grand Centrum is very lavish, Windows is a huge dining room, nicely decorated with multiple number seats at table. Lunch was fine but desert was terrible. Might have been good if the Berry Cobbler was cooked throughout and not still cold. After lunch we explored the ship and found it very nice and easy to navigate. Some of the carpet and spaces are showing age but I understand ship will be dry-docked in the winter so that should freshen it up. We got to the cabin at about 2pm dropped off our carry-ons. Cabin was small with two singles pushed together to make one Queen. The first night one side was up against the cabin wall and we moved the beds to the center for the next nights and it was easier that way. I usually tip the room steward $20 the first day but never saw him. Left a note 1st night for extra pillows which were left. Was disappointed in the room at first. The TV didn't work, the loudspeaker cut in and out and when I went to call engineering for them to get fixed, DUH...the phone didn't work. Used a house phone in the hall and everything was working within an hour. Did the sailaway in the Celebrity Lounge in the front of the ship since it was a bit cool. Lovely view going out. Once under the Varrazano Bridge, went back to the room and all bags were there so we unpacked and went to dinner in the Garden Restaurant. Nice food, a little slow on the service, deserts terrible again. Uh-oh I'm spotting a trend. On to the first show which was a very talented juggling family. Usually I'm asleep 15 minutes into those shows. But they were very good especially the young son who was about 10. Cruise Director Darrin was bland and not a whole lot of energy. Onto the casino and started the cruise right by winning $300 on a poker machine. Wife stayed with penny slots which she enjoyed. Off to bed at about 1:30. Bed was a bit saggy and pillows were hard but it was time for passout so we managed. DAY 1-At Sea Got up in time for a very nice breakfast at windows, Good food, service and selection. Onto Bingo, and go the punch out cards rather than the expensive electronic gadget. Still lost. More exploration and then onto lunch in buffet. Food was good, not great, but warm with good selection. Off for a nap and then dinner in Windows. Service better, faster delivery of meals. Off to another show, Second City who we always enjoy and then back to the Casino. They got some of their $300 back. DAY 2-We decided not to do the Whale Watching tour since it was cold. Walked the pier which was nice and picturesque. Went to Maritime Museum. Was ok. Casino was good to us. Day 3-Didn't take the St. Johns tour and got off only to go to the City Market in the port parking lot. Souvenirs and back on board in an hour. Day 4-Boston-We have been before and didn't take any of the tours. They have a $26 r/t shuttle that goes to Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market which is where we spent the day. It's worth the cost of the shuttle and r/t cab would have been about $40. We love Boston and it was a party atmosphere since the SOX were playing that night. Back to the ship, dinner and casino Day 5-Martha's Vineyard. This tour we were looking forward to. SAVE YOUR MONEY! You get herded on converted scholl busses and run throughout the perimeter of the island at about 45 miles per hours. It can be summed up like this: "Here is the driveway of...(insert name of dead celebrity)...but you can't see the house from here". We learned about BeettleBung trees, Grapevines and Robert Parker, no not theauthor, the guy that has the heating oil monopoly on the island. Pretty island but at 40 mph you don't see things til you're pass them. Driver wasn't going to let us off at Edgartown where we had a scheduled 1 1/2 hours shopping time scheduled until we started to all yell that we are scheduled for this. He finally called and they told him yes but he left us there to go to another tour. Don't know if her came back because we took a cab back to the ship and had a better tour with that driver. Save your money. Take the tender into the island and explore the harbor area there. Nice shops and good food. Day 6-Home- Into port on NYC on time. Do express disembarkment. We were off the ship at 8:30 and on the road by 8:45. You need to carry off your own luggage and have to have paid your bill up front but it was a breeze. SUMMARY SHIP-Pretty ship, easy to navigate, a little worn, but clean. There was always someone dusting, washing or painting. Needs upgrade on some of the carpet and decorations but still nice. CABINS-Small window cabin. Uncomfortable bed, small couch. Bathroom good size for a big person..me not wife... Quiet and clean. CREW-Never did meet our steward although we figured out who he was in the hall. Staff was pleasant and accommodating and very eager to please. My wife loves that they call her "Madame" ENTERTAINMENT-Typical ship entertainment, Went to 4 of the 5 shows and they were an hour long which was about right. Mush longer and it would have been Zzzzzzzzzzzcity. FOOD-It was Ok. Not as good as on the Dawn or Explorer. Lobster was tough and NY Strip Steak was the width on my show sole and as tough. Over all it was just ok, not terrible or great. Deserts did improve. Make sure you get whatever desert Souffle they offer. It was the only time I asked for seconds of anything. CASINO-Friendly staff. Played Texas Hold-Em 3 nights and had a good group. They could tell I was a beginner but I held my own and wasn't yelled at for some novice mistakes. Great way to learn the table game. OVER-ALL-We had a nice time. We weren't much on the excursions, just wanted to relax and enjoy ourselves which we did. Were not a lot of kids on board so can't comment on that aspect. DO IT AGAIN?-Yes, we liked the ship although not as much as the others we have been on. If the itinerary was right would definitely sail her again. Understand she is going out of New Orleans next year so that might be fun. Hope this was helpful